Have you ever learnt a new skill? Did you manage to do it without someone telling you that you had to or force you to learn it in a way that wasn’t working for you? The school approach to learning is only one way to learn. School is not the only way. And school type learning is not the only way. For many this is the beginning of unlearning. Here we are not only unlearning what we thought we knew but re-learning some educational ideas together. Coming to a realisation that there must be another way. The beginning of discovering that there are other ways to learn.

Learning doesn’t have to look like school, in fact developmentally school type learning is not the optimal way of learning.

This chapter opens up the world of unschooling by introducing the idea and what it is.

Episode Overview:
In this episode of Unschooling Conversations, host Heidi Steel is joined by returning guest Alice Khimasia to explore how unschooled children transition into adulthood. Both share personal stories and reflect on evolving family dynamics, shifting educational landscapes, and the lasting impact of self-directed learning.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Personal updates: Changes in Alice and Heidi’s families, including children moving out, volunteering, and new interests.

• Navigating transitions: How unschooled children find their paths as they approach adulthood, and the non-linear, organic nature of their journeys.

• Alternative pathways: Apprenticeships, volunteering, non-traditional routes to degrees and careers, and the importance of following personal interests.

• Lifelong learning for all: The ongoing process of learning and adapting, not just for children but for parents as well.

• The importance of mentorship, community, and diverse milestones, rather than rigid educational timelines.

• Parent reflections: Modeling adaptability, embracing uncertainty, and finding joy in watching children take the lead.

Listener Takeaways:

• There is no single pathway to successful adulthood for unschooled children; self-knowledge, agency, and confidence are key.

• Community support, mentorship, and real-life examples can reassure and inspire families at all stages.

• Trusting the process and permitting organic growth often yields surprising and positive outcomes.

Alice Khimaisa

https://organic-education.co.uk/

https://linktr.ee/alicekhimasia

Resources

Find the Unschooling Village Hub and resources for unschooling families: liveplaylearn.org

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share - it helps towards increasing the chances that you will see a post on future episode releases and spreads the love.

Your child is not broken or wrong

Some children find it easy to comply, others excel at it. Listening to instructions, remembering the rules, and controlling their emotions and behaviours. For others it takes significantly more effort. Sometimes the effort they put in all day means that the falling apart happens at home. There is no time for homework. There is only time for crying, watching TV, or bubbly baths. Hours of recovery and exhaustion from the effort of ‘being good’ all day.

It is often our child that alerts us to their being something amiss with going to school and when they are home educated, they become even more vocal about what they want to do and what they don’t want to do (this is okay, they should!)

Chapter Two is where we first introduce the ideas of radical acceptance, trusting your child, and embracing the wider definition of education as we attend to your child’s emotional well-being, health, sense of self and neurological differences, alongside academic progress.

And we lean into the idea that your child s okay just the way that they are.

School shapes our views about education and learning. Most of us have been to school and have heard the messages on repeat about the need to pay attention, get top marks, and pass exams. It is culturally part of our society, governs our days and family life, and for the most part is our only experience of education. School was built and designed for a reason and there have always been signs that school isn’t for everyone. Children up and down the country are telling us that school is stressful, and irrelevant, and parents are questioning behavioural policies and the developmental appropriateness of some of school’s requirements. It doesn’t change the fact that choosing to do something different, to take full responsibility for your child’s education, is a big decision. Chapter One starts at the beginning: why does school exist? how can you know that school isn’t for your child? And is it possible for you to do something different?

My book, School isn’t for Everyone (and what you can do instead,) is a book that opens up the world of self-directed education and unschooling to parents. It combines theory and practice whilst being grounded in the reality of being with your child day in and day out. It addresses the key concerns and questions that parents have when they first discover unschooling and at the same time provides the tools that are needed for parents to begin following this approach at home. Ultimately it leaves parents confident in their own abilities to educate their children in a way that (I believe) is quite magical.

When parents begin to look at their options and they discover home education then a door opens into another world. A whole world of possibilities, and one of those is unschooling, a way of living and learning together as a family without the influence of school.

Heidi Steel is joined by Esther Jones in this episode of Unschooling Conversations—author, mindfulness teacher, and unschooling parent—to explore the transformative journey of unschooling, both for children and parents.

Together, they discuss Esther’s new book, The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself: A Mindful Guide to Embracing a New Way of Living and Learning with Your Child, and share candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of stepping outside the mainstream education system.

Chit chat circles around:

• Esther’s personal journey from traditional schooling to unschooling and how it shaped her family’s life

• The emotional and psychological challenges parents face when choosing unschooling

• Strategies for balancing self-care, personal hobbies, and the demands of parenting

• The importance of self-compassion and mindful presence in the unschooling process

• How unschooling fosters deep personal growth, self-awareness, and healing for parents

• The role of community and connection in sustaining the unschooling journey

• Practical tips for creating a supportive home environment and modelling healthy habits for children

• Insights from Esther’s book and her work with unschooling families

Resources Mentioned:

• Esther’s website: esther-jones.com – Find her book, blog, podcast, and more

• The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself (available on Amazon and from publisher Jessica Kingsley)

• Heidi’s community and resources for unschooling families: liveplaylearn.org

• Esther’s podcast: The Unschool Space

  
  

Guest information:

Esther Jones is an unschooling mother of three, founder of the The Unschool Space podcast and author of the recently published The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself. Esther was led into unschooling by her children, who have helped her unravel years of conditioned beliefs around parenting, children, learning and neurodiversity. Today, she supports other parents in transforming their mindset and building a life beyond traditional schooling in which their children and themselves can thrive, using mindfulness and self-compassion as the foundation tools for change.

You can find all her work at www.esther-jones.com

Whether you’re new to unschooling or a seasoned home educator, this episode offers heartfelt wisdom, practical advice, and inspiration for embracing a more mindful, compassionate approach to parenting and learning. Listen now and join the conversation!

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share - it helps towards increasing the chances that you will see a post on future episode releases and spreads the love.

In this episode of "Unschooling Conversations," Heidi Steel is joined by clinical psychologist and author Naomi Fisher to explore the topic of burnout in children, particularly those moving beyond school and exploring unschooling approaches. Together, they discuss:

• What burnout looks like in children and how it differs from adult experiences.

• Early warning signs, such as loss of curiosity, flatness, and withdrawal.

• The factors that contribute to burnout, including individual temperament, life events, and school environment.

• The importance of removing pressure and creating a nurturing, low-stress home environment for recovery.

• Practical strategies for parents, including relationship repair, being present, and gently reintroducing opportunities for curiosity and engagement.

• The non-linear nature of recovery and recognising the signs that things are changing.

• The value of community support and sharing experiences with others.

Naomi also shares insights from her new book, "The Teenager’s Guide to Burnout," and both hosts reflect on their personal journeys and the unique opportunities unschooling families have to support healing and growth. The episode offers hope, practical advice, and reassurance that recovery from burnout is possible, with an emphasis on patience, empathy, and trust in the process.

Connect with Naomi

Dr Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist, author and speaker specialising in parenting, mental health issues in children, autism and trauma.

website

Facebook

Insta

Substack

Connect with Heidi and discover the blog, courses and the Unschooling Village Hub at http://liveplaylearn.org

Follow on Facebook

Tune in for insight, practical tips, and encouragement.

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a like, and share.

Today I'm chatting with Melissa Crockett-Joyoue from New Zealand. Melissa and her partner have two neurodivergent children and they came to unschooling after their son had an extremely challenging time at school. She co-hosts the Unschooling Summit and holds the Weave online community for unschooling parents of neurodivergent children.

In this episode, we have an honest and heartfelt conversation about the realities of unschooling—especially for neurodivergent families. Together, we share our personal journeys, the challenges of leaving traditional education, and the pivotal role that community and connection play in supporting both parents and children.

Topics discussed include:

• Why traditional schooling doesn’t work for every child, particularly those who are neurodivergent

• The emotional and practical challenges of transitioning to unschooling

• The importance of building flexible, inclusive support networks—both online and offline

• How self-care and parental well-being are essential for family thriving

• Practical tips for finding connection, support, and resources as an unschooling family

Whether you’re considering unschooling, already on the journey, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers validation, encouragement, and a wealth of lived experience.

Connect with Melissa and learn more about the Weave community:

https://www.instagram.com/weave_nd

https://www.instagram.com/mama.weaves

Connect with Heidi and discover the blog, courses and the Unschooling Village Hub at liveplaylearn.org

Tune in for warmth, empathy, and practical wisdom on creating a path that works for your unique family.

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a like, and share.

Unschooling Conversations Podcast - Episode: Doing Things Differently with Amanda Diekman In this thought provoking episode, I sit down with Amanda Diekman, author of "Low Demand Parenting," for a transformative conversation about radical acceptance, deschooling, and reimagining family dynamics.

You will find:

• The power of radical acceptance in neurodivergent families

• How to drop demands on yourself and your children

• Reframing "challenging" behaviours as valuable communication

• The importance of self-advocacy for both parents and children

What You'll Discover:

• Why productivity doesn't define human worth

• Practical strategies for creating a low-demand family environment

• How to unlearn societal expectations about parenting and learning

• The circular nature of deschooling - how parents and children learn together

About Amanda Diekman: Amanda is a mother of three, living in an intentional community in Durham, North Carolina. She's the author of "Low Demand Parenting" and passionate about supporting neurodivergent families in breaking cycles of burnout and shame.

Connect with Amanda:

http://www.amandadiekman.com/

http://www.instagram.com/lowdemandamanda

http://www.facebook.com/lowdemandamanda

Listener Challenge: This week, practice radical acceptance. Choose one area where you typically place demands on yourself or your children, and instead, approach it with curiosity and compassion.

Join The Unschooling Village Hub: Exploration, witness, and healing for your unschooling journey https://liveplaylearn.org/unschooling-village-hub/

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who might need to hear this message.

In this powerful conversation, Heidi Steel and Alice Bramhill dive deep into the transformative world of self-compassion, unschooling, and neurodivergent family life. They explore how breaking free from traditional educational and societal expectations can lead to more authentic, compassionate living.

Key Highlights:

• The challenges of unschooling neurodivergent children.

• Deconstructing, deschooling, and decolonising societal expectations about education and success.

• Practical strategies for developing self-compassion.

• The importance of curiosity and permission in personal growth.

Guest Bio:

Alice Bramhill - Psychotherapist, mental health nurse, and unschooling parent specialising in neurodivergent can be found at

AliceBramhill.co.uk and on Instagram: @‌AliceBramhill

Top Takeaways:

1. Practice daily self-check-ins

2. Challenge your inner critic

3. Give yourself permission to be curious

4. Recognise that personal growth is non-linear

"The way we show up at home is how we change the world."

Heidi Steel talks with Iris Wong about her unschooling journey, neurodivergence, and supporting children's unique learning experiences.

Highlights:

• Navigating Neurodivergent Unschooling: Challenges traditional educational models that don't support neurodivergent children

• Recognising and Healing from Educational Burnout: Iris's son experienced early school burnout, leading them to unschooling

• Gaming as a Learning Platform: Discusses gaming as a valuable learning and exploration tool

• Executive Functioning and Neurodiversity: Emphasises the importance of validating children's experiences and providing autonomy

Guest Bio: Iris Wong is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD parent, speech therapist, and executive functioning coach from Northern California. She's unschooling two children and brings a compassionate, neurodivergent-affirming perspective to education.

Connect with Iris: https://eftoolkit.com/

Listener Takeaways:

• Education can look different for every child

• Supporting a child's interests is crucial to their learning

• Neurodivergent children need flexible, understanding environments